Endocrine Abstracts

The hypothalamus plays a key role in the control of appetite and energy balance. The endogenous cannabinoids are widely distributed throughout the brain, including the hypothalamus, together with specific cannabinoid-1 (CB-1) receptors. Endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids induce hyperphagia, whereas the selective CB-1 receptor antagonist, SR 141716 (rimonabant), inhibits feeding and CB-1 knockout animals are leaner and eat less after an overnight fast. Ghrelin, the recently ...